Monday, April 25, 2011

Violation Against Freedom of Expression; Yemeni Cartoonist Hit by Unknown Men

Not long after his latest interview on Yemen Times newspaper, the well-established Yemeni cartoonist Kamal Sharaf was attacked by unknown three men in the down town of Sana’a, last Sunday. The men hit him, took his mobile and escaped afterwards.

“Cartoonists should be fierce critic of the government and corruption,” he stated in the interview. Sharaf has been actively protesting in Yemen’s Uprising and utilizing his cartoons to reflect corruption issues and express protests’ demands.

Previously, Sharaf has been in jail for almost two months because of his anti-president and anti-corruption cartoons. He was released after he pledged not to draw such cartoons any more. Nevertheless, he resumed drawing his critical cartoons when the uprising began three months ago.

His cartoon sketches can be easily found at the Change Square. They are on the walls; energizing and inspiring protests to revolt and carry on. “We will continue no matter what. We must continue our protest against this failing regime and keep dreaming of a Yemen of our own,” he wrote in his Facebook page after the hitting he endured.